2nd April

Today was one of those days where all bird activity was concentrated around the obs garden and those of us foolish enough to venture out got little reward for our cold fingers. However, the ringers in the garden had an excellent time with 161 birds ringed in total including 66 Chiffchaffs, 54 Willow Warblers, 34 Blackcaps, the first Redstart trapped of the spring, and a few of the garden residents. The highlight of the day came in the mid-morning when the Hawfinch seen flying around the Obs was trapped to everyone's delight. Away from the obs, totals amounted to 20 Wheatears, five Swallows, two Firecrests and a second Redstart.

Elsewhere on the island Reap lane saw three Wheatears and a pair of Redstarts while Coombefield Quarry held the first Common Whitethroat of the spring.

Not many birds are as stunning as fully-grown male Hawfinches in the hand © Martin Cade:


And one we didn't get round to a couple of days ago: the Merlin over Southwell at the weekend © Pete Saunders: